Social Worker – Safeguarding Team

Southampton City Council

• £39 per hour excellent agency rate
• Frontline safeguarding service with long-term stable contract potential
• Supportive management team with regular reflective supervision
• Strong multi-agency partnerships and clear threshold decision-making
• Opportunity to protect children and create lasting change for families

Are you an experienced Social Worker looking for your next frontline safeguarding opportunity? Southampton City Council is seeking a skilled and resilient practitioner to join its Safeguarding Team, where you will work with children and families subject to child protection, child in need, and court planning.

Paying £39 per hour, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a progressive local authority that values relationship-based practice, strong management oversight, and high-quality safeguarding interventions. You will play a pivotal role in reducing risk, strengthening family networks, and ensuring children achieve safe and sustainable outcomes.

About the Local Authority

Southampton City Council is recognised for its child-focused practice, strong leadership, and commitment to continuous service improvement. The safeguarding service benefits from robust multi-agency working across health, education, police, and legal partners, enabling practitioners to make timely and effective decisions for children at risk. You will be joining a supportive team environment where professional development, visible leadership, and manageable caseloads are prioritised.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of children subject to Child Protection, Child in Need, PLO, and court proceedings.
• Undertake Section 47 investigations, risk assessments, and robust safety planning.
• Complete high-quality single assessments, court reports, child protection conference reports, and care plans.
• Lead direct work with children and families to reduce risk and improve parenting capacity.
• Progress cases through PLO, care proceedings, permanence, and contingency planning where required.
• Work closely with schools, police, health, legal teams, and partner agencies to ensure joined-up safeguarding responses.
• Ensure the child’s voice is central to all planning and intervention.
• Maintain accurate case recording and ensure statutory visits and timescales are consistently met.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Previous experience within a Safeguarding / Child Protection Team.
• Strong knowledge of Children Act 1989, Working Together, PLO, and court work.
• Confident in risk analysis, crisis intervention, and multi-agency safeguarding processes.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced frontline statutory environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Why Work With Us?

• £39 per hour competitive pay rate.
• Long-term contract opportunity within a stable frontline team.
• Supportive managers and regular reflective supervision.
• Excellent opportunity to strengthen court and safeguarding experience.
• Flexible working arrangements and strong team culture.
• Referral bonus available for successful recommendations.

Contact

Josh Dhumisani
📞 07902371315
📧 jdhumisani@sheldon-phillips.com